Shadow Blood and Fire

The video continued to play, and the tall blonde man started to speak again.

"To whomever, this video happens to be shown to, I will now demonstrate a set of skills that you should be able to perform at your level."

The man then proceeded to get into a fighting stance.

"I will cover most of the basic moves and it's up to you to learn them and figure out how to use them in fights. If you forget, feel free to open up your system at any time and watch the videos again."

"The first move is a defensive move; Phantom step. To perform this, if the system has been set up correctly, you will need at least 15 points of agility."

The man then proceeded to perform the phantom step. He crouched down and moved to another corner of the room in an instant, at the same time an afterimage of him was being shown.

"Now this skill uses up 10 Energy so even if you have enough Agility points to perform this skill, be careful not to wear yourself out. I would only use it when avoiding a fatal blow or going in for an attack. Please also make note that although the move is fast and hard to be seen by the naked eye, at most it can only move you at the distance of five meters."

Looking at the move, Eli straight away realised how handy it would be to have something like this. The only thing was it was a shame that Eli currently didn't have enough Agility points to practise the move making him almost regret putting all his stats into Strength.

"The next skill I will show you is the Hammer strike."

Once again, the man got in a fighting stance, this time he lifted his right foot and slammed it onto the ground while at the same time he pulled back his left hand and threw out his right hand. All of this was done in one smooth motion. Just from watching the video, Eli could see that the air had slightly moved."

"Cool right," the man said smiling. "The hammer is able to bypass defence and transfer the impact directly into your target. For this skill, you will need at least 15 strength as well and 5 Energy but you can improve the results by using more energy. Put your mind at rest and envision an object that dosen't exist and try to take energy from that and move it to your hands,

With a swift motion, the blonde man struck again, his movements precise and fluid. This time, as his fist cut through the air, there was a resounding bang that echoed through the empty room. The space before him rippled violently, parting like a curtain to reveal a gaping void. It was as if reality itself had been torn asunder by the sheer force of his strike. Then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the void closed, the air rushing in to fill the silence left in its wake.

The man's lips curled into a satisfied smile, his four red eyes gleaming with pride. "As you can see," he said, his voice resonating with an otherworldly timbre, "the power of our skills can bend the very fabric of space when executed with precision and control."

Eli watched in awe, replaying the video several times to grasp the full extent of what he had just witnessed. It was clear that this tutorial was more than just a lesson; it was a gateway to possibilities beyond his wildest dreams.

Eli positioned himself firmly, his gaze locked onto the towering gambrinus tree before him. With a deep breath, he channeled his energy, feeling it surge through his veins like a raging torrent. In one fluid motion, he lifted his right foot and brought it crashing down upon the earth, while simultaneously drawing back his left hand and thrusting forward with his right.

[Hammer Activated]

[–5 Energy]

The impact resonated through the forest, sending a shudder through the massive tree. Leaves rustled as if in protest, yet the ancient bark remained unmarred, standing defiant against Eli's assault. A twinge of pain shot through Eli's hand, a stark reminder of the gambrinus tree's resilience.

[–2 HP]

Eli cleared his mind, banishing every stray thought until only a single image remained: a crimson orb, its surface pulsating with energy, flanked by two massive wings of the same fiery hue. He focused intently, willing the orb's power to flow into his right hand. His muscles tensed, his hand quivering with the effort as he channeled the energy.

Eli struck the tree once more. The force of his blow sent shockwaves through the woods, and the tree shuddered violently under the impact. A fist-shaped hole appeared in its trunk, the inside a twisted labyrinth of splinters and sap.

[Hammer Activated]

[–25 Energy]

[–30 HP]

[Your hand is broken]

A torrent of pain engulfed Eli's senses, notifications flooding his vision with alarming speed.

[Healing activated – 20 energy]

Eli watched, both fascinated and relieved, as his mangled hand began to knit itself back together. Bones realigned, flesh mended, and within moments, the pain receded as quickly as it had come. His hand was restored to its normal state. 

"The ease with which you draw energy from your core is remarkable," came the voice from the video, filled with a mix of surprise and approval. "Now, let us delve into the next skill—Blood claw."

"The Blood Claw extends up to five meters and requires the user's own blood, costing -1HP per swipe. To activate, draw upon the energy within your blood, feeling it surge to your fingertips. For control, direct the flow with precision, shaping the energy into claws. Begin with simple extensions before attempting more complex maneuvers. Remember, visualization is key—envision the trajectory and purpose of each claw before its release."

The video demonstrated the skill in action: The man's hand radiated a dark crimson light as he summoned five massive ethereal claws, each fifty inches in length. They sliced through the air with lethal elegance, leaving trails of red in their wake.

Emboldened by the tutorial, Eli extended his hands. A dark crimson glow enveloped his fingers as he concentrated on the energy coursing through his veins. With a mental blueprint etched firmly in his mind, he swung his hand outward. Five ethereal claws, each five inches long, emerged and spun like a deadly carousel before striking the gambrinus tree from every angle.

"That is exemplary control of Blood affinity," praised the voice from the video. "You exhibit traits of a prodigy, drawing from your core as naturally as breathing. Other Demon bloods at your level would barely manage and could only direct their energy in a straight line."

"Shadow Scout allows you to perceive beyond the physical," he continued. "Feel the environment, detect movements, anticipate attacks. It's like a radar that uses shadows as its medium."

In the demonstration, the man stood still, eyes closed, as faint ripples emanated from him, illustrating how one's awareness could extend outward.

" You need to learn the basics of shadow control on order to be attune with shadow scout. Your shadow is more independent than most. It is an invaluable helper. 

"Look at your reflection and try to perceive the difference."

Eli looked at the small pond on the floor, then he suddenly froze, noticing something strange. As he was looking at himself in the mirror, the reflection of his shadow seemed to move. It was as though the shadow lowered its head and quietly facepalmed.

Eli quickly turned around, piercing his shadow with a nervous look. However, everything seemed normal. The shadow was doing exactly what it was supposed to do, repeating his every motion.

"I clearly saw you move," he said, feeling a bit strange. "You have just moved on your own, right?!"

Eli glared at the shadow, which obediently glared back.

"Did you move or not?"

The shadow enthusiastically shook its head.

'What the?!'

"What do you mean, "no"?! You've just moved your head! Do you think I'm a fool?"

The shadow seemed to think for a bit and then shrugged.

Eli was left with his mouth agape.

"Your shadow is more independent than most. It is an invaluable helper," he muttered finally.

Right. This was how the blonde man had discribed his shadow.

"But what exactly could his shadow do?"

" That's up for you to find out, cause you need to find you mark in shadow control by yourself or it will dampen your growth". The blonde man smiled.

"Hey, you. Tell me what you can do."

The shadow was silent and motionless.

'Right. It doesn't have vocal cords.'

As though that made any sense! Shadows were not supposed to have muscles either, and yet it knew how to move.

"Uh… show me?"

No reaction. It seems the shadow was content pretending to be an ordinary, lifeless blob of darkness.

Eli sighed.

'I'm doing this wrong.'

Independent or not, the shadow was still a part of him. It was a manifestation of his Affinity. So instead of asking the shadow, he really should have been asking himself.

"Not going to talk, are you?"

Eli closed his eyes and directed his perception within, exploring himself for the first time since returning to the real world. He felt the beating of his heart, the steady rising of his chest, the slight chill of the yama woods. He heard droplets of water falling on leaves. Felt the movement of the air against his skin.

And there, on the verge of his consciousness, something new.

A completely new sense.

Eli concentrated on it, and suddenly a whole other world opened to him. It was hard to describe with words, just like one would have trouble explaining how hearing or touch feels.

It was as though he could communicate with vast forms that crowded around him and receive an understanding of both their own shape and the surrounding space, guided by the different degrees of pressure they exerted on his mind and each other.

That understanding came naturally and instantaneously, like an instinct.

These forms were shadows. And among them, one — not the largest one, but the deepest — didn't feel like an external entity. It was like a part of his soul.

Once Eli grasped the feeling of it, he could sense the shadow just like he sensed his limbs. The only thing was that his limbs were made out of flesh, and the shadow was made from the absence of light.

Eli opened his eyes and looked at the shadow. Then, with a thought, he willed it to raise an arm.

The shadow raised an arm.

He willed it to sit, stand, turn around, kick. Then he willed it to change shape, turning into a circle, then a line, then a monster. And finally, back to his own silhouette. The shadow was mercurial and fluid, like water. The only constant was its size.

"Ha! How about that?"

The shadow pouted, then reluctantly raised its thumbs.

"But how are you useful?"

He willed the shadow to strike the gambrinus tree. It obediently moved and delivered a powerful kick. Of course, since it was just a shadow, its leg passed through the gambrinus tree harmlessly, not even causing the tree to sway a little.

"Is that… all you can do?"

The shadow looked at him with disdain. Then it shrugged and stopped moving altogether, clearly offended.

"Hahaha" The blonde man's laughter was genuine and warm. "In due time," he mused aloud to the shadow, "you will evolve into a knight emerging from darkness to vanquish foes before retreating back into obscurity."

"The the second step in mastering the shadow scout skill is to sense your shadow as part of your body" 

Once again, Eli concentrated on sensing his body and spirit, then commanded the shadow to perform a series of simple motions. With each of them, he was growing more and more familiar with the feeling of controlling the shadow.

Pretty soon, it was as natural to him as breathing and walking. The shadow felt like a part of his body.

Satisfied with this initial result, Eli carefully gave it a new command.

[ Shadow Scout Activated]

[ – 2 Energy per minute]

Without pause, the shadow separated itself from the soles of his shoes, walked to the other end of the woods and turned around, staring at him in slightly mocking silence.

Eli was left without a shadow.

'This is not scientific at all,' he thought with an amused smile.

Science never really applied to anything having to do with abilities, after all.

As the shadow walked away, he felt a very weird split happening in his mind. It was like his perception had separated into two distinct sources. One was his body, the other — his shadow.

With a bit of trying, he managed to focus on the second source. Instantly, his vision blurred.

"Whoa!" Eli blurted, surprised.

"Whoa!" the shadow heard from the other end of the woods.

Eli blinked. In his mind, there now existed two pictures. One was of yama wood's, with an indifferent shadow standing in front of it. The other was of a handsome fiery red haired young man with blue eyes standing wide-eyed and bewildered.

'That's me.'

He raised an arm and waved it in the air. Simultaneously, the fiery red haired young man raised and waved his.

'I can perceive the world through my shadow?'

He sat for a while, thinking. An ability like that opened up a lot of possibilities. With his shadow scout ability allowing him to send out a sneaky shadow as a scout, he was pretty much a perfect spy

He looked at the shadow and gave it a command. With an exaggerated sigh, the shadow bent down and nimbly approached the yama misty mountain.

Instantly, he could see the world from boths sides. Eli closed his eyes to focus on the picture projected from the shadow.

Moving stealthily from one shadow to another, it glided towards the Yama mountain. With a bit of timing and consideration, his scout was practically invisible. After moving for some distance it stopped exactly 10 km away unable to move forward. 

The blonde man's voice rang like a melodious bell. "Congratulations on learning the Shadow Scout, I must say you one of the best students I have ever taught".